Natural history moments
Natural history was the operative term today. From the early moments just after dawn, with several species of birds under the tree in front of the house, through the visit from a June bug at the office, past an explanation of why crows and starlings hang around the pool for several weeks each year; a day of factoids.
I hadn’t seen a June beetle (Scarabaeidae) in years. Not to believe they were extinct, but that they just didn’t come around here any more. Turns out I may have been looking in the wrong place at the wrong time. The most familiar scarab to many in these northern climes has a three-year cycle, and bring great pleasure to skunks. They also come out at night, which is why a bare light seems to bring so much clatter and confusion. I needed to know these things.
The crows and grackles have a love of my pool for the most altruistic of reasons; seems that the mate is stuck at home, and the water supply is erratic. So, the bird who is out hunting and gathering tends to try and wet down the treasures before bringing stuff back to the thirsty bird. Now isn’t that kind? One of our secretaries may stop shooting from her gallery after learning this nice point of nature.
Dandelions are alive and well, now that the cosmetic herbicide freaks are slowing down their environmental warfare. Whole lawns have “gone to seed” all across the city, which should guarantee a few more bursts of colour before the end of summer. As for the winemakers…
Schools in certain parts of the province are now trying to convince students to eat their lunches inside. The number of bear spottings is up. Those of us raised on a steady diet of Hanna-Barbera know that Yogi and Boo Boo are picnic wise. The younger set may also have to clue in.
Today was tree trimming day at work. My office has a veritable jungle on two sides, and the owner sent in a crew to do some forest husbandry today. We spotted a moose there two weeks ago, and a raccoon the week before, so the “big back yard” is a full blown habitat. There’s always fear of trees falling on cars parked behind the building, so we were happy to watch the guys with the really cool ATV and the tiny chainsaws this afternoon.
All that’s missing is a few squirrels in my yard. This part of town is a recent development, and trees are just getting to a size that will support the happy-go-lucky gang. Maybe in a year or two we’ll have some more fauna to observe.
